The Canadian environmental activist has hosted television shows and fought global warming, but now he can also be credited with literally saving lives.

Not surprisingly, Suzuki was already on a mission to help save the world at the time. The activist was on a boat in British Columbia’s Peace River on his way to protest the imminent construction of the Site C dam hydro project, which is opposed by many environmentalists, First Nations, and politicians, because it will flood heritage sites and force the relocation of families. But before he could get there, a canoe with his group capsized, stranding two paddlers in the river’s chilly waters.

According to Faisal Moola, a forestry professor who also works with the David Sukuki Foundation, the activist was among the first on the scene, quickly yanking the fallen boaters from the water. Other members of the group soon swarmed in to help right the fallen canoe:

“David then jumped into their canoe and paddled, alone, several kilometres down the river to an area called Bear Flats, where he gave the keynote address to hundreds of people who had gathered to oppose the Site C dam,” Moola wrote on Facebook. “Keep in mind the guy is nearly 80 years old.”

So let’s recap: A Canadian, who’s also trying to preserve the beautiful Canadian landscape, saved two people in a canoe accident, probably said “sorry” a few times and then furiously paddled said canoe to Bear Flats, where we can only imagine he gave his speech drenched in cold, Canadian water.